09/28/2026
RABIES VACCINES - The Nassau County Department of Health has advised my office that its fall distribution of oral vaccine baits will begin on TUESDAY, SEPT. 22 and will continue, weather permitting, through Oct. 9.
Officials have advised my office that the program will begin on the North Shore (green area) for approximately one week and then progress to Central Nassau (blue) and conclude on the South Shore (red).
Baits will be distributed by Health Department staff from slow-moving vehicles in areas where raccoons are likely to be found. Please familiarize yourself with what a rabies vaccine bait looks like (images posted in the comments) so that you can keep your dogs away from them on walks.
Some FAQs on the bait:
✅An intact bait itself is not harmful. There is a very low risk of experiencing side effects from skin contact with the vaccine, such as rash, fever, or headache.
✅To avoid inadvertent contact with the baits, supervise children’s outdoor activities both during and for approximately one week following the bait distribution. Call the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 immediately in the unlikely event that a child bites through the packet and ingests the liquid.
✅If residents find bait near their homes, but not in the open, leave it alone. The bait packets have a strong fishmeal smell that is not attractive to people or to most other animals.
✅If the bait is intact and out in the open where pets or children are more likely to encounter it, toss it into deeper cover under trees or bushes while wearing gloves or using a plastic bag.
✅To decrease the chance of pets eating the baits, keep all cats indoors and dogs on leashes during and for approximately one week following the bait distribution. This will allow raccoons to eat the baits and become immunized.
✅The baits are not harmful to dogs or cats, but a pet may vomit if they eat a large number of them.
